Sowing Native Seeds (Xerces Pollinator Seed Mix and Narrowleaf Milkweed Seeds)

 

To plant native seeds in San Diego, sow them in late fall to early winter, right before or during the first rains, to help them germinate and establish before the summer heat. Prepare a well-draining seedbed by mixing seeds with a light cover of horticultural sand or scattering them on raked soil, then lightly covering them. Keep the soil consistently moist, not soaked, with a gentle spray until the seeds sprout, then water once every two weeks. 

1. Timing is Key

• Plant in Fall/Early Winter: The ideal time to plant native seeds is from late fall to early winter (October to December), coinciding with the start of the rainy season. 

• Pre-Rain Planting: Planting just before or during the first rains helps seeds germinate and establish their root systems before the dry, hot summer arrives. 

2. Seed Preparation and Sowing

• Mix with Sand: Combine seeds with a mixture of one part seed to three parts horticultural sand (also called "sharp sand") to protect them from birds and help with even scattering. 

• Scatter Evenly: Scatter the seed/sand mixture or bare seeds evenly over gently raked soil. 

• Lightly Cover: Lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Smaller seeds need to be closer to the surface. 

3. Soil and Water

• Well-Draining Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix or prepare a seedbed that allows for good drainage, as most natives do not tolerate poor drainage. 

• Maintain Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist using a gentle misting spray until the seeds germinate. 

4. Site Preparation

• Rake the Soil: Gently rake the surface of the soil where you will be planting to create a smooth seedbed. 

 

More info on narrowleaf milkweed

https://calscape.org/Asclepias-fascicularis-(Narrow-Leaf-Milkweed)

 

An illustrated list of the flowers in the Xerces Pollinator Mix from Calflora.

https://www.calflora.org/app/ipl?list_id=px555&bloom=t​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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